Team Herald

PANJIM: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday launched the second fleet of First Responder Bike ambulances under the 108 emergency services, adding 15 more motorcycles to the existing fleet of 20.

“We are very happy by the initiative taken by Merck contributing to our mission of saving lives. With these 15 additional bikes each part of Goa will be covered in terms of health security,” Rane said.

The new bike ambulances will be stationed at strategic locations across major cities ensuring faster access of healthcare for accident victims, he said. These are equipped with all equipment required to revive and stabilise patients, including oxygen cylinder, pulse oximeter, stethoscope and glucometer.

Professional paramedics will ride the bikes. While the paramedic starts the resuscitation measures, a fully equipped ambulance will be sent to relieve and take the victim to a hospital.

Intending to deal with road accidents and casualties, the batch of 35 two-wheeler ambulances would be deputed in high risk areas like the coastal belt. Goa becomes the second State after Karnataka to launch such ambulances.